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Friday, July 30, 2010

Hello Pink Saturdayers (ha, my own word)!!!! For this PS I thought I would share a wonderful swap that I recently participated in - Summer Roses Swap - at Etsy Cottage Style. I adore swaps as you usually get some awesome goodies! My partner was the lovely Viviana and you can click here to view her beautiful Etsy shop. She has the most amazing goodies, some of which she included in the swap.

Some awesome scrap booking goodies ~ tags, borders, charms...

A beautiful hand-crafted card...

The pink card in the upper right-hand corner is hand-crafted by her. I also receive some great rose decals, vintage lace, and other beautiful papers...

Check out this beautiful rose hand-sewn cover for the journal she included..,

Another view of the lovely goodies...

Of course I forgot to take pictures of what I sent her until I had it all wrapped up and ready to go. I placed all of her goodies in a white enamelware tray and included pink millinery flowers, hand-built (by moi) pink clay roses, Lavender Room spray, pretty cards and tags, and more. I also like to "top-off" my swaps with a pink be-jeweled "Create" ornament.

I though I'd leave you this week with some pretty pictures of some pretty pink Lily Flowers that I purchased at the supermarket. They were (sadly they have now passed) absolutely gorgeous! There is nothing like fresh flowers and I always try to have some in the house.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Self-esteem is a term used in psychology to reflect a person's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs (for example, "I am competent" or "I am incompetent") and emotions such as triumph, despair, pride and shame.* So, how's your self-esteem? I find that time and time again, women tend to experience a negative self-esteem. Why is that? Well, we can all surmise a myriad of reasons; the media, our parents, our spouse, and other external circumstances. While these may all be true, the bottom line is: WE CREATE OUR OWN SELF-ESTEEM! Yes, ladies, it's true. We decide our own fate and the fact of the matter is that you may be degrading yourself!

How can this be you ask? Why the media tells me I must look like a supermodel and that's not possible. Estee Lauder and Elizabeth Arden tell me I must use their makeup or forget it, I will be ugly forever; my parents told me I was stupid and would never amount to anything. Yep, that's all true too. But, as an adult we choose! We choose to feel good about ourselves or not. We do this by how we "talk" to ourselves or what is known as "self-talk."

Here's a quick test you can take to measure your self-esteem. Why don't you take a quick break and complete it and come back here.

So, how did you do? I wouldn't be surprised if many did not do as well as you thought. What to do? The answer is simple yet requires your time and consistency in making a permanent change. The website you just visited (I hope) has some answers.

Focus on achievements. Very important!

Make plans for the future. Stop procrastinating and start planning.

Focus on what you like about yourself and stop highlighing what you think are your defects. We all have strengths and we all have things we would change. So, if you can change, do it. If you can't, why focus on it?

Again, all of this is so true. However, please keep in mind that our goals need to be realistic. For example if you're a 5'4" tall and you goal is to be a supermodel, you're probably setting yourself up for failure as we all know supermodels tend to be very tall. So be reasonable with yourself. Set goals that you can realistically achieve. Also, remember to establish objectives or "small steps" to that goal. Most goals take time and energy and we feel more productive and successful when we establish objectives. For example, I knew since I was in high school that I wanted to obtain a Masters Degree in Social Work. I started attending college right out of high school but was side tracked a multitude of times for various reasons. However, I never gave up on that goal. I focused on what I achieved rather than what my ultimate goal was and it helped me feel successful and stay focused. Do you know old I was when I obtained my masters degree? 32 years old! Yep, that's correct, I was 32 after starting out at 18 but I was on top of the world the day I received my diploma. More importantly, I never gave up.

While achievements are part of how we feel about ourselves, the vast majority of our self-esteem comes from our self-talk ~ recall the old phrase "the glass is half full. Our style of self-talk generally develops in childhood and becomes a pattern - negative or positive. Moreover, many of us don't even realize which type we tend to engage in. But, if your measure of self-esteem is low, you can be sure your style is negative!

I will devote next week's Beautiful Blogging post to self-talk. Since it impacts our self-esteem, our anxiety and stress level, and our mood, I would like to share some strategies on how to change your self-talk from negative to positive. Remember, it's a pattern of behavior, thus we can change this pattern.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

I just listed the most awesome ALL NATURAL Hand & Foot Butter on my site! It is made with Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Vera Oil and Vitamin E. Plus, it is scented with our yummy Cool Caribbean Coconut fragrance. I poured it into lotion bar containers for ease of application. You simply glide it on and it absorbs readily! Don't let the name fool you as this butter is great for hands and feet and everything in-between! I especially like it for my cuticles! Click here to view the Hand & Foot Butter.

Have a wonderful Sunday and don't forget to stop back tomorrow for my weekly Beautiful Blogging post!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Gosh Saturday sure comes around quickly! I realized that I needed to do my PS post but guess what? I didn't take any interesting pink pictures this week! Oh what to do?! Well, I asked my friend Google what to do. Pictures of Pink Cupcakes? Well, okay Google, show me some pink cupcakes because who doesn't love a pink cupcake!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Happy Monday everyone! Beautiful Blogging this week entails some easy at-home recipes that you can do yourself! It is simply not necessary to spend huge sums of money to get great results with your beauty regimes! So try these simply recipes with items you most likely already have and tell me what you think!

Directions
Place all ingredients in a small bowl and stir vigorously to combine to a smooth paste. Apply a layer to clean face and leave for 15 minutes or until mask has dried. Rinse well with warm water and follow with your normal moisturizer.

Directions:
Place papaya and pineapple into a blender. Add the cayenne, salt and vinegar and puree the mixture.
Divide the mix into 2 equal parts into the plastic bags. WHILE SITTING DOWN, as you don't want to slip, place feet in bags and cover feet by moving them around. Try sitting near the tub when you do this to prevent a big mess, ha! Allow the mix to remain on your feet for 20 minutes.
Remove one foot at a time, and massage your foot to exfoliate. Rinse thoroughly . Apply your favorite foot butter and some white cotton socks!

Directions
Combine the cornstarch and baking soda in large bowl and stir slowly while adding the essential oil one drop at a time. Pour the powder into a sifter powder container with holes in the top or put in a wide-mouthed powder container with a powder puff.

Feel free to leave some of your favorite recipes that other readers may enjoy!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Now, please don't laugh too hard but today's post is all about my first mosaic! I keep seeing these beautiful mosaics and I just sigh, wishing some day I could make my very own! A very, very kind fellow blogger actually sent me a link to Flickr and a link for the mosaic maker. Now, I am sure many of you are aware of this but I did hyperlink them, just in case, so you can check it out yourself! I must give a HUGE thank you to Kim @ Flowershopgurl for her very kind assistance! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kim! You're a sweetheart! Please be sure and visit her blog as it is truly wonderful!

Hello all of my blog-land friends! I just wanted to remind everyone that the Make Mine Pink Christmas in July Shop Hop Starts today! Click on the banner above to sign up and join the fun because there are some awesome prizes to be won!

Also, don't forget that this Saturday is the monthly Pink Twilight Sale at MMP and the prices are just phenomenal! It runs from 6 p.m. to midnight so make sure your are there early! This sale is fast and furious and oh so much fun!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Do you think of bathing only in terms of cleansing? If so, you may be missing out on the potential benefits of bathing? Did you know that bathing has been around since 2000 B.C.? The ancient Romans, for example, used bathing as an important part of their daily ritual. They understood the therapeutic advantages of water and they created elaborate bathing rituals including the use of scented oils. Unfortunately, when the Roman Empire was overthrown in the 5th century, the tribes who conquered Rome found their obsession with cleanliness impertinent. Moreover, the church expressed disapproval of this indulgence, thus these rituals disappeared.

The 18th century saw a revival of bathing when once again the therapeutic effects of water came to light. Spas were established in Europe and the U.S. For those seeking water therapy. Also, the discovery that germs spread disease altered attitudes towards bathing. While initially seen as indulgent, rooms established solely for cleansing gained popularity and by the end of the 19th century, owning a bathroom was viewed as a status symbol. Bathing today need not be boring nor for the sole purpose of cleaning our bodies. It should be a time to care for your body, mentally and physically! Creating your own additives can help aid some common problems. Please seek medical advice before using any of these suggestions. Some essential oils can interfere if you're pregnant or suffering from any medical problems.

~Use cleansing baths to your advantage by detoxifying too which can aid in reviving your system. Steep your herbs in hot water for 15 – 20 minutes, strain and add the liquid to your bath. Tie the herbs in a cheesecloth and attach to the faucet while you are running your water. Some examples of what to add: 2 cups of apple cider which has an energizing and cleansing effect; nutmeg or lavender which promotes perspiration and can aid in expelling toxins from your body. The added scent of the items provides a bonus!

~Moisturizing baths are important because of course bathing in hot water can be drying to your skin. I suggest using natural oils which can be found at your local supermarket or health food store. Remember to use no more that 2 teaspoons, otherwise your skin will become too greasy. For dry skin try avocado or Castor oil; for oily skin try lighter oils such as calendula or safflower; for normal skin choose almond, jojoba or apricot oil. Sea salts can also be very moisturizing and nurturing as they are high in minerals which are easily absorbed into the skin. The salts are said to ease problems such as psoriasis and eczema but they surely ease or aches and pains and leave the skin super soft! Please use caution as oils or salts may make the tub slippery. ~Relaxing Baths ~ ah there's nothing like a nice hot bath, is there? Try adding some natural products to enhance this relaxation or promote sleep! Adding camomile or lavender leaves to your bath adds therapeutic benefits as it is absorb through your skin, But breathing in the calming scents can be beneficial as well. Also, don't forget about the therapeutic qualities of essential oils too. Try adding 5 drops each of neroli, lavender, and lemon to calm and soothe!

( This photo is linked to Nourish your Spirit and has some cool lavender recipes. Click the picture to visit).
~Decongestant baths can be so helpful when you're down with the flu or a cold. Add some peppermint leaves to your bath to help stimulate and clear mucus from your nose and sinuses. Sage is a great additive when you suffer from muscle aches and pains (AVOID this if you are pregnant).

There are so many options today to enhance the quality of our bath. Take the time to enjoy your bath and reap the benefits of water therapy. You might even add to the experience by lighting scented candles or by bringing a good book and just soak in the tub for a few minutes.

OXOXOX,Jacalyn

P.S. Please click on any picture and you'll visit the site where I obtained them.Source: Bathing for Health, Beauty, & Relaxation Gizowska, Eva 1998

Friday, July 9, 2010

Good Pink Saturday pinkies! The weather here has been soooooo hot and I love, love, love it! I hope your weather has been amazing too! On the 4th of July this year my husband, daughter, and myself decided we wanted to go to one of our favorite spots - Niagara-on-the-Lake which is in Ontario, Canada about 45 minutes away. It's just the most quaint little town with shops, bars, and great restaurants. Oh yea, it's on the Lake! That would be one of our fine Great Lakes ~ Lake Ontario.

What a beautiful day to spend near the lake! Of course by now, when we go anywhere, my family knows I'm on the look out for pink and they even help me! So as we shopped and ate and enjoyed the day, we looked for pink, ha!

Niagara-on-the-Lake is truly beautiful. The have oodles and oodles of flowers and everything is so well manicured. And, they seem to love pink flowers!

Of course there are tons of shops to browse and plenty of pink goodies.

This pretty pink birdie actually came home with me! I think he needs a name though. Any suggestions?

We stopped at the Hershey Store on our way home because my daughter loves their chocolate milkshakes! I found this awesome vintage style pink tin and fell in love. But, they wanted 10 bucks for this and there wasn't even any kisses inside! *sigh* so this lovely tin did not come home with me!

Pretty pink doors and windows advertising the Shaw Festival. The Shaw Festival is actually four theatres that feature plays though out the summer season. If you ever get this way I would highly recommend you attend a show. Click here to read about it.

These are my wonderful companions ~ my daughter Erin in her pretty dress accented with what else? Pink! And my charming hubby Dave.

After dinner we went down by the lake. The picture above is actually in Youngstown, NY across the lake. This is Fort Niagara which was an active fort since 1726 - as it sits right at the mouth of the Niagara River. It was at one time held by the French, the British, and the US. The British actually held on to it through the Revolutionary war but returned it at the end of the war. To read more history about the Fort click here.

Erin enjoying the view! It was very busy with tons of boats and jet skiers!

Oh and one final thought. We had dinner at this historic (and allegedly haunted) English pub The Olde Angel Inn (once again just click the link to read more). The food is amazing and I meant to take a picture of the peach and chicken pie that I had but oops, I ate half of it before I remembered! But my husband made an interesting observation. He wondered if it was some how treasonous for us to be visiting Canada and eating at an English pub on America's Birthday. Hmmm.... there does seem to be something to that but gosh we had so much fun, ha! What do you think?

Monday, July 5, 2010

For this week's Beautiful Blogging Post I thought I would do a post on a few of my favorite things. As with any of us, I have a few select products that I simply cannot live without, ha! Honestly, if I were stranded on a desert island I would just have to bring my mascara! Food and water would be nice too but we all have our "must haves" and these are mine:

Sumptuous Mascara by Estee Lauder! I have literally searched for years for the perfect mascara and EL came out with this about two years ago and I haven't tried another mascara since! This gives you big, bold, long, curled lashes without too much clumping! I love, love, love it!

A couple years ago I was listening to a local radio station as the DJ was interviewing a makeup artist. His tip was to use Lash Discovery as a base coat. The tiny brush allows you to coat all of your lashes. So now, I use this as my primer because it coats every little lash and then follow with two coats of Sumptuous.

Okay, I'll admit it, this is a rather shameless plug, ha! But, truth be told this is truly one of my favorite products! I made this sugar scrub because I simply could not find one I liked. I've always hated salt scrubs because they tend to burn if you shave or have any cuts etc... on your skin. Whenever I have any dry skin, summer or winter, I use this scrub and instantly the dry skin is gone! It scrubs off all of the dead, dry skin while the oils stay behind to soften skin. I use this regularly on my legs to keep them soft! I love to put some on and leave it for a few minutes as it forms a type of "mask." I have to say, there are more choices out there these days but this of course is my fav, he he!

I have been using mineral makeup for years. But recently I discovered a new brand (you know I have to try them all, ha). Pur Minerals makes the one shown here and it's the best that I have found. I have some acne and redness and this covers it so well. I know they all claim to have great coverage but in my opinion Pur beats them all! I love the feel of mineral makeup on my skin rather than liquid makeup and I am so glad to have found this! Yay!I know, I know! I make my own bath products! But still, I love to try new items and I love to mix things up! This soak has been one of my favorites for some time. I love using it after working out or whenever my muscles are sore. It is so nurturing. The only down fall to this is not everything dissolves in the water and there is a blue residue left behind. Easy enough to clean up though. BTW, I love the whole La Source line!

Please feel free to comment as I would love to hear what every one's favorites are!

Click on any of the pictures and it will take you right to the source! I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Independence Day AKA 4th of July!!!!! Pink Saturday has gone Red, White, & Blue in honor of our Country's Birthday! Of course we know that July 4th 1776 was the day the United States declared their independence from England. The colonists finally stood up and declared that they would no longer be ruled nor taxed by England! We owe so much to the brave men and women who worked so hard to make this happen. So, a big Happy Birthday America! Truly the home of the brave and the land of the free! So in honor of our country I thought I would give you a sample of the Citizenship Questions that all applicants for naturalization must take. Are you ready? Here we go (and you'll find the answers at the bottom of the page in PINK of course because after all it is PS, he he)!

1. What do the stars on the flag mean?

2. How many stripes are on the flag and what do these stripes represent?

3. What are the 3 branches of our Government?

4. What is the supreme court law of the United States?

5. Who becomes President if the President and VP die?

Here's a bonus question (though I don't have a prize, ha!) and let's see how many can correctly guess, er answer without looking at the answer!